Darvel, Gallow Law, Newmilns circular.
Challenging walk from Darvel up to Gallow Law and then back to Darvel via Newmilns.
Walk starts by crossing the river Irvine then following the river path for a few miles, before entering the Lanfine estate a heading steadily uphill for a number of miles. Near the top of the hill the route branches off through a rough forest track, tracking the brow of the hill for a further 2. 5 miles.
Once at Gallow Law forest, you can either proceed upward to the summit of Gallow Law, which is shown on OS maps as a viewpoint across Ayrshire to the coast and Arran, or head back down towards Newmilns.*
Once back at the river Irvine, continue back towards Darvel along the same river path as used at the start.
The paths along the river are mostly well formed and much of the Lanfine estate and B roads used are tarmac. However,The forest section can be very muddy during rainy weather, with some scrambling over fallen trees.
Given the steady ascent and partial underfoot conditions I’ve give this a harder grading than would normally be the cast for such road surfaces.
* The path indicated passes by the Riverside Inn at Newmilns, which has a lovely beer garden and does food normally. Good place to stop before finishing.
walking
John McAra on scottexservices.com